Seshego Bicycle Club pedals on
Members of the Seshego Bicycle Club are still cycling proud three years after starting the club.
POLOKWANE – Started in 2015, the Seshego Bicycle Club started out as the Drahse Bicycle Club with only one member, Eshard Mothapo (20), a young boy from Ga-Mothapo Tjatjaneng who has lived in Seshego since 2002.
“I started the club by organising cycling rallies at least once a month where I would invite young boys my age to come and compete in cycling. I had no knowledge about cycling rallies at all but I slowly learned by doing research and watching the big cycling races on TV. To my surprise, three boys joined the club one day. Thegofatso Mothata, France Khethane and Cyril Mothapo came to me one day and said they wanted to do this on a regular basis. I soon realised this could be a different type of activity which can be practiced in my community and together we worked hard to introduce it,” he explained.
The young boys spoke to BONUS and said what keeps them going is the fact that they are kept away from harm and negative activities such as drug and alcohol abuse as well as gangsterism among others when they are active in cycling.
“We keep fit both physically and emotionally and we encourage other youths in our communities to join us or find something similar to lead a positive lifestyle. I used to get teased by my peers because I used a bicycle while my peers were driving cars but I stayed determined to make the club a success. Due to this faith and perseverance, the Seshego Bicycle Club is operating even though we are still in need of many things. We would appreciate a sponsorship to help us grow the club such as a printer, first aid kits, reflective vests, helmets, protective sets, attire, transportation, sports mountain bicycles, road bicycles and the registration fees for competitions where we want to fly the Limpopo flag high. We are thankful for the 35 reflective vest which were donated by Lindelani Ratsumelani from Makhado Construction as well as Gift Ntsoane for providing us with transport when we need to travel to competitions,” Eshard said.
The club currently has 60 members and meets every Friday afternoon for a brief meeting and a practice cycling marathon to prepare for competitions as well as exercise.
The boys were nominated for the Mtb BestMed Classic which was supposed to take place on 7 and 8 July in the Sondela Nature Reserve but they couldn’t afford to attend it.
“We want to register the club as a Non-profit organisation (NPO). We are struggling but we have hope that we will eventually succeed. To help us keep our goals in sight, we get motivational talks from Tumi Mokoka,” he concluded.
Anyone willing to assist the club can contact them at 064 732 6862 or find them on social media via Seshego Drahse Bicycle Club or send an e-mail to seshegobicycleclub.d@gmail.com. Alternatively visit their offices at Seshego Hospital View 9200.
